Gonzalo Higuain sees a bit of himself in River Plate starlet Julian Alvarez, speaking to ESPN about a player linked with Premier League trio West Ham United, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.
Alvarez, like Higuain, rose through the ranks at River Plate.
Whether the former can emulate the latter and become one of the most feared marksmen in European football, well, that is a question only he can answer.
With reports claiming that Alvarez is a January target for the aforementioned Premier League trio, not to mention the likes of Real Madrid, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund, it seems the Argentina international will certainly be handed the chance to prove that he can follow in Higuain’s footsteps this side of the Atlantic.
Which Premier League club will Julian Alvarez join?
Alvarez has scored 17 goals in 19 games this season, four of those coming in a 5-0 thumping of CA Patronato.
“He is the best striker that River Plate has,” Higuain beams. “He has scored 20 goals and half of Europe wants him.”
That may be an exaggeration but not much of one.
Aston Villa have been scouting Alvarez since the turn of the year. According to Calciomercato and El Intransigente, Steven Gerrard’s Villa will now face competition from West Ham, Spurs and countless over clubs from Milan to Madrid.
“I saw how he moves, how he uses both feet. I see him similar to me in terms of his hunger, the desire to make it, the desire to learn,” Higuain adds.
“I love him in every way, how he plays, his humility… it makes me very happy that he is doing well.”
Alvarez has a £21 million release clause in his contract, although River Plate have not given up hope of agreeing a new, long-term deal with their top scorer.
The 21-year-old, who was transformed into a central striker after bursting onto the scene as a right-winger, has been likened to Cristiano Ronaldo due to his ability to finish ruthlessly with both feet.
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